The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 165: Workplace

“Yeah, yeah!” Can was angry as well, but she was clearly not assertive enough to talk back properly. “Captain was an important member of the Twelve Zodiac Signs! He could even rival War Tiger! You, you should show some respect!”

Gao Yang kept a tight control over his face, but he was trying very hard to not roll his eyes. Thanks, Can, but that’s way overboard. If I really can rival War Tiger, I wouldn’t have to be this careful with Nine Frost, alright? I could just beat him into Nine Broke.

“Can.”

Gao Yang gave her a pointed look, and Can obediently shut up.

Nine Frost was looking very punchable, but there was no need to take his insults seriously.

Gao Yang observed the other members of the fourth team.

The one following Nine Frost closely was a woman whose age wasn’t immediately obvious. Her hair was shaved, and her physique well-built despite not being particularly big. On her chest was a platinum qilin brooch, and her right hand was entirely wrapped in white bandages from fingers to wrist. She reminded Gao Yang of a certain female kickboxing champion.

She must be the vice-captain of the fourth team, Black Sparrow.

The way members of the Qilin Guild named themselves was quite interesting. Qilin and the four Elders were clearly named after mythical creatures, while the Protectors’ names were combinations of a number and a natural element, such as Gao Yang’s Seven Shadow, and the fourth team captain’s Nine Frost.

And while there was no official naming convention for Elites, there seemed to be an unspoken rule of combining colors with animals, case in point Gray Bear and Black Sparrow.

The other Elite on the fourth team was a woman too. She had long and wavy brunette hair, and her body had pronounced curves in all the right places. With her bright makeup, she was a real beauty. Unfortunately, her charm was offset by her unfocused, empty-looking eyes. It looked as if she was nearsighted but forgot her glasses.

If Gao Yang’s memory served him right, she was Yellow Butterfly.

The other three members were men, and all of them regular members. Gao Yang hadn’t paid particular attention to them.

He swept his gaze over each of them and memorized their most pronounced features.

The bald, crafty-looking man should be in his forties. The young, delicate man whose eyes seemed perpetually half-closed looked to be in his twenties. And the middle-aged man with a stilted, unnerving smile was probably in his thirties.

The fourth team sat down on the left side of the rectangular meeting table according to their ranks. Gray Bear gave Gao Yang a look. Without missing a beat, Gao Yang waved his team over.

Soon, the fifth team also took their seats according to their ranks.

The twelve of them sat with their backs straightened, each staring at the person right across from them.

The air was thick with tension. Gao Yang felt like any time now, they would each draw their weapons and start a fight.

This won’t do. Don’t be so tense. Relax a little. Think about something fun.

Gao Yang coaxed himself into relaxing, and an image came to him, unbidden. He was reminded of the highly rewatchable classic comedy, Flirting Scholar. The protagonist was having a poetry showdown with a side character, and they got more and more worked up, glaring at each other like a fight was going to break out. Just when everyone thought that they would surely start throwing punches, they blew each other a kiss.

“Pfft.” Gao Yang broke.

When he looked up, everyone was staring at him.

Nine Frost, in particular, showed a mix of confusion, anger, and disbelief.

“What are you laughing about?” he demanded.

“Nothing,” Gao Yang said honestly. “I just remembered something good.”

Then another joke from the movie intruded upon his mind.

He almost laughed again. It was all he could do to keep his facial muscles under control by pinching his thigh hard.

What are you doing, Gao Yang?!

Can’t you read the mood? Can’t you stay serious, you idiot sandwich?

Bam! The door opened, and Black Tortoise marched in.

Gao Yang sighed in relief. Thank God! You came just in time, Elder Black Tortoise!

Black Tortoise was dressed in a light-colored shirt, his face covered by a mask, a pair of sunglasses, and a baseball cap. He was holding his phone and a cup of iced coffee as he strode to the main seat of the meeting table.

“Sorry for being late.”

Gao Yang nodded slightly. He could tell by the man’s look that he must have rushed here from the set of a production or some variety show.

Black Tortoise put down the phone and coffee as he sat and steepled his fingers, leaning forward.

Although he was wearing sunglasses, Gao Yang could sense his gaze scanning over everyone in attendance.

“You must have been informed. Two days ago at midnight, the fifth team noticed something strange about the Eleventh High School. Last night, I sent the fourth team to investigate, but found nothing.”

“The fifth team’s intel must be inaccurate,” Nine Frost said coldly. “The Guild has investigated the Eleventh High School many times. If there were a Rune Cave, it should’ve been discovered long ago.”

His gaze stabbed into Gao Yang like a physical force. “New guy, I understand your eagerness to achieve something after joining, but would you not waste other people’s time?”

“Or,” Gray Bear shot back with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Maybe the fifth team’s intel is accurate, but the fourth team is simply too incompetent to find anything?”

“Watch your mouth!” Black Sparrow groweld.

“Oh, what was that?” Gray Bear leaned back and gave Lithe Snake an exaggerated look. “Did you hear something, brother?”

Lithe Snake scoffed. “Where did the bird come from? The chirping is noisy as hell.”

“You...”

Nine Frost shut Black Sparrow up with a look. Then he turned to Gray Bear. “Oh, the fourth team is mediocre alright. We’re so mediocre that we haven’t lost any members for the past three years. Unlike a certain team that lost two captains...”

Gray Bear slammed the table and shot to his feet. “You damn—”

“Enough.” Black Tortoise’s voice wasn’t loud, but it demanded respect.

Gray Bear shuddered with rage and clenched his fists. Under Black Tortoise’s authority, however, he had no choice but to sit back down and fume quietly.

“I know you’re dissatisfied, Gray Bear,” Black Tortoise said at a deliberate pace. “You are all my subordinates, and you should work together to complete missions. There’s no need to fight for credit. I can make the judgment myself.”

“Yes, sir.” Gray Bear’s voice softened.

Black Tortoise then turned to Nine Frost. “You and your team are to visit the Eleventh High School again tonight, Nine Frost. Be thorough and don’t leave any corner unsearched.”

“Yes, sir.” Nine Frost nodded.

Black Tortoise then turned to Gao Yang. “You and your fifth team are going with them, Seven Shadow. Your job is to assist the fourth team in their investigation. Remember, the fourth team is in charge of this operation. You will follow orders on the field. If you have any problem, come to me after you return. No internal strife will be tolerated. Do you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” said Gao Yang.

“Alright.” Black Tortoise stood up. “Time for you to set out.”

He took his leave first since he had other matters to attend to. The fourth and fifth teams went to the front desk to make applications and then get equipped at the armory.

Although their main goal was to investigate the school, should the place turn out to be a Rune Cave, there was no telling what would await them. Thus, they equipped themselves according to the standard for an A-class battle operation.

Each of them was equipped with a radio, a handgun, and a level 3 accessory. They would be returned after the operation. The accessories were mainly items that granted an offensive buff or an assistive status.

Gao Yang needed accessories that buffed Element-type Talents, but looking through the options, none of them were better than the tactical glove he had bought. He would rather stick with what was familiar to him then, so he didn’t take anything.

In addition, each team was also allowed access to Medicine C, Celestial Water for illusion breaking, awakener-exclusive adrenaline shots, sleep gas grenades, and many more.

Those who were proficient with cold weapons were allowed to bring additional gear, including shortswords, throwing knives, brass knuckles, bow and arrow, and nunchucks.

Before setting out, Gao Yang glanced at the dressing mirror. Each of his teammates was dressed differently.

He asked, “Don’t we have uniforms, Gray Bear?”

“No.” Gray Bear smiled. “Our former captain was the casual type who didn’t care for that.”

“We are going to wear uniforms next time.”

Gray Bear nodded. “Alright. I’ll tell the back office. Any specific requirements for the style or form?”

“No,” Gao Yang said. “As long as they are uniform.”

“How vain.” Lithe Snake looked derisive as he played with his throwing knives.

Gao Yang turned to him and said seriously, “Anything can happen during an operation. I want to make sure that everyone can differentiate between our own people, outsiders, and enemies at a glance. Eliminating the half second hesitation could be the difference between life and death.”

Lithe Snake silently put his throwing knives into his thigh holsters and closed the equipment cabinets.

Although it might make him sound sentimental, there were things Gao Yang had to say.

“Listen to me. From now on, when the fifth team goes on any missions, we abide by one prime directive. Nothing is more important than following the one rule, and that is—”

Lithe Snake leaned against the cabinet with an impassive expression.

Gray Bear looked at Gao Yang with trust, his arms crossed.

Xiran shouldered the bag of supplies and adjusted his glasses.

Ronnie quietly looked up at him.

Can put away her phone and looked over belatedly.

Silence stretched for three seconds.

Then Gao Yang took a deep breath and said seriously, “Don’t fucking die.”